The Dark Duke they call him.And he certainly matches up to his name. From his looks to his constantly furrowed brow, Miss Beatrice Edgerton is under no illusions as to the status of their arranged marriage.It will be very much one of convenience. With him conveniently providing the title her family so desperately wants and her family bringing in plenty of money for his dilapidated home. She is … dilapidated home. She is simply grateful he is younger than her first husband.
Lord Morton, Duke of Hartwich, is only a little perturbed by the vibrant Beatrice. After all, he sets her straight from the very first day of their marriage–this is one of mutual benefit. In one way only. She can expect no affection or romance from him.
Because, frankly, he is incapable of such things. Being a one-legged duke with a slightly dark past brings enough challenges without him having to worry about a wife too. His days of concern for anyone are long gone.
Unfortunately, It is not only the duke’s dark demeanor she has to deal with. Someone is trying to cause trouble for them but they cannot fathom who or why.
Grace is determined to make the best of the situation, even whilst spending Christmas with the duke alone in the eerie Hartwich Hall. Why, perhaps she might even be able to change the duke’s mind about their relationship.
Especially after they share a fiery kiss…or three…
If you love Regency romance with some heat, brooding dukes, and an arranged marriage at Christmas, be sure to get your copy today!
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So many historical romances are of the Cinderella style – thumbing the noses at society and class – as the couple chooses to marry for love. In this story, Lord and Lady Morton have an arranged marriage of convenience. She has money and he has status. In fact, they do not meet until they are at the altar in front of the priest!
Watching their love bloom and grow from begrudging respect, to friendship, to love was perfectly played like a building concerto. The many small solo trills – supporting characters and stories – were beautifully blended side pieces that helped to create this masterpiece.
I loved the flaws, the fun, and the touch of suspense in this story. This was a perfect book to open while cuddled up in my favorite reading chair during a blustery day.
Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC via Booksprout, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
Title: A WHOLE NEW DUKE
Series: N/A
Category /Genre: Historical Romance
Recommended for: 18+ due to sexual content
Grammar/editing: received as an unedited ARC
Received from: Samantha Holt
I have all these books that I read and never got to review because was either working or reading..Anywho I love Samantha there has probably been no books of hers that I have not liked and this just adds to the category of I liked. we meet Beatrice Edgerton who is about to marry The Duke of Hartwich and she is not all that happy about it since she hears how he has a bad temper and a really dark past however her family wants a title he needs the money that will come with her. The Dark Duke as he is called lost a leg when he was young and he is embarrassed about it and does not want his new wife to see it so he feels that he wont consummate the marriage that they can just live like that, however Beatrice is not all that happy with that decision and wonders why he doesn’t want her. Adam just figured out that Beatrice is not going to be the quiet wife he was wanting, instead she wakes his body up with feelings he had never had, but he thinks why would she want him? so grab a copy and enjoy how they came to know each other.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A Whole New Duke: A Regency Christmas Romance Wonderful characters and a romantic holiday story! Adam is a tragic hero (I love those!) who is afraid to let himself fall in love — and Bea the independent, courageous heroine who will not give up on him. He’s called the Dark Duke but is in actuality not dark at all. A little intrigue and a lot of romance. Samantha Holt
Really like historical reading. Interesting and entertaining story. Complex and interesting characters as well. This was a very entertaining book to read. There were many complex and interesting aspects to the story. Hard to put this one down. Would recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
If you love Regency romance with some heat, brooding dukes, and an arranged marriage at Christmas, then you need to get this well-written story with wonderful characters. The characters are realistic, relatable an likable and the interactions and reactions make this believable. I love this Author and cannot wait to read another story by her. Must Read
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A Whole New Duke by Samantha Holt is the story of Beatrice Edgerton and Adam Morton, Duke of Hartwich. Beatrice’s family is marrying her off again into a marriage of convenience where they will get the Title in their family and Adam will get the money he needs for his home/title. But Adam makes it clear that Beatrice will getting no affection because he has none to give. Adam has lost his family and at a very early age his leg so all this has harden his heart. Beatrice is the total opposite of Adam and with her around he starts to loosen his tight hold on his heart.
Ms. Holt is a favorite author of mine so I really enjoyed this book.
Adam’s disturbing new bride!
by sewsummore
When Bea married for the second time, she was just twenty-one. Her new husband was a Duke in dire need of funds, it was a marriage of convenience for them both. She met him for the first time on her wedding day and had hoped for a happier second marriage but her new husband’s coldness between them made this unlikely. Adam lived with pain from an amputed leg most if the time, the pain made him ill tempered and his new wife disrupted the peace of his home. Bea was a determined woman and soon set about changing his life, in small ways at first admittedly but slowly she became important in his life. Her beauty and her caring manner made it hard for him to keep her at a distance and before he knew it he was actively looking to spend time with his new wife. This was an interesting read, there was the budding romance of two strangers and a mystery man intent on causing harm that kept me guessing until the end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Bea as a new adventure to go on to get to her HEA. Adam needs the young and forceful Bea to bring him out of his lonely isolated life. Add in a mystery man that is harassing the estate and Bea’s younger sister Phillipa or Pip and you have a grand adventure.
As romantic as a story can be. A very well written regency romance that has a bit of everything in it. A grumpy Duke, a lady that sees him for the first time at the alter. Characters are well described and defined. I like their chemistry and how their relationship/marriage develops through the story. He almost defrosts page by page.
Absolutely a story that I can recommend – but Samatha Holts always are.
I love the premise. I like that it’s a Christmas romance and that it all takes place within a marriage – it’s a unique take. It was a most enjoyable read with some mystery and wonderful characters. I am extremely excited to read more from this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Highly entertaining, witty, fun and engaging journey filled with intriguing charters, heart racing twists and exciting turns…. exciting read from beginning to end. Really enjoyed this adventure.
Reading this book reminds of something one of my teachers once told me. My teacher told me that when an elephant is first caught its leg is chained to something unmovable. So that if the elephant pulled with all its might, it could not escape. Once the elephant is convinced it could not get away, the chain is connected to something easy to move. Even though technically there is nothing holding the elephant to that spot, the memory of its inability to escape will stop the elephant from attempting to run.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Adam, Duke of Hartwich, is reclusive, grumpy, and has a quick temper. His life has been filled with loss and sadness, including the loss of part of one leg when he was a child. Bea Edgerton is young, lovely, and sweet. Her father has arranged her second marriage (just as the first) for social position in exchange for a large dowry.
Adam informs Bea that theirs will be a true marriage of convenience, no attachment, no love. Bea endured this in her first marriage and is determined to make this one better. It won’t be easy. She tries to engage her husband. Adam does his best to resist her. Can he keep himself closed off from her? Will Bea break through his icy demeanor, or will she give up?
This engaging, well-paced story moves along in a way that makes the romance seem unrushed. There is a bit of a mystery and Adam has to decide how to handle a villain that lets his plan get out of control. The characters were interesting. I enjoyed watching Adam and Bea learn to deal with each other. I love the way Bea’s sister Pip fit right into their home and wormed her way straight to Adam’s heart. She loves her sister and accepts Adam as he is and treats him like a brother. A good story and nice characters. I enjoyed it.
This is one tremendously enjoyable story keeps you wanting to read more with all the twists and turns abound, kidnapping, unexpected circumstances, unpredictable surprises.
This is a page turner so that you can figure out who did what. There is mystery, intrigue, and, of course, love. The characters fit into the story perfectly. A recommended read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This a quick read moderately paced. It is a sweet wholesome unexpected romance blooming from an arranged marriage of strangers. Miss Beatrice aka Bea Edgerton is twenty-one and is to marry the Duke of Harwich, Adam Morton. Bea was bringing in much needed money into the coffers of Harwich and Adam was providing a title Bea’s family desired. They never met until their wedding day. This is a very good story and I could see that it could have been turned into a novel. I loved Bea, Adam, Bea’s young little sister Phillipa aka Pip, the housekeeper Mrs. Howard and the stable master Mr. Reid. Excellent characters. Bea is a realistically positive person. She is reasonable and patient. However, when there is something, she feels strongly enough about she can be stubborn and dig her heels into the ground. Adam is a broody character. He has lost loved ones in his past and carries grief and guilt around. The surrounding villages call him the Dark Duke and believe his home is haunted by those who have died there. The home has been in his family for generations but is in heavy disrepair and the land around the place is not conducive for much of anything. The story is centered around Bea and Adam. She wills him to be more amicable and caring while he outright told Bea there would be no love or romance. It was fun to see the different ways she wheedled herself into his life. Then a dangerous situation arises that ends up settling the question if there is hope for love. A delightful read.
Beatrice is under no illusions that her marriage will turn into a love match. Her husband was in need of funds and her parents were searching for a title to be associated with. But after sharing a kiss, she begins to wonder if they might be able to have more…
Adam believes that he is incapable of loving a wife, so has stated from the beginning that his marriage with Beatrice will be in name only. But as he spends more time with her, he feels a growing attraction for the woman. When her life seems to be in danger, Adam realizes that he would do anything to protect her.
Will the danger that Adam and Beatrice experience allow them to open their hearts to the possibility of love?
This was my first book by Holt and I will definitely be back for more! I loved watching Beatrice break down the barriers that Adam had put up so that he was able to open his heart to love. She was such a kind soul, it was hard for Adam to ignore the kindness she put out into the world.
Beatrice (Bea) is getting ready for her arranged marriage of convenience but not for love to Adam the Duke of Hartwich. Adam and Bea are complete opposites but they end out being perfect for each other. I like the way they start out as just a marriage of convenience and end up falling for each other. This is a well written, holiday romance with interesting characters and a story filled with drama, humor, mystery, unexpected twists and a great ending.
The Duke of Hartwich, Adam Morton, was called the Dark Duke because of his constant frown and dislike of society. He had experienced the loss of his leg, the death of his cousin and parents and was afraid of becoming close to someone just to lose them. With his estate floundering, he marries Beatrice “Bea” Edgerton thinking he would not become attached or develop any feeling for her. He would get money and her title hungry parents would get a title for their daughter. He was not expecting her to be so beautiful and optimistic. Bea was determined that this marriage would be entirely different from her first one. She sees past Adam’s facade and knows he has a heart deep down. Bea was such a cheerful person and soon had the entire staff’s loyalty. Strange appearances of a man, a stolen horse, and a kidnapping force Adam to realize that he has become attached to Bea and would do anything to keep her safe. This was a fast-paced book and great for one setting of reading. The plot was good, and the characters were well developed. Bea and Adam were exact opposites, but they seemed to complete each other. The suspicious man and mystery of why he was causing trouble kept my attention. The ending was very surprising with no clues to lead up to it, but well worth reading the book to figure out the mystery.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
“Beatrice, I am not certain what your previous experience of marriage was. I know it was brief. But I can promise you that I shall never hurt you and you shall never want for nothing.” She nodded with hope in her eyes. “However, this is a marriage of convenience. I shall give your family the stature they require and you shall ensure the continuance of my family’s estate. I cannot give you more than that. I request that you do not expect love or affection from me.” Thus Adam announced on their carraige ride to his home and her hopes felt dashed. But she would not give up.
Adam had been injured as a child and lost his leg. His wooden one cause him great pain and kept him rather short tempered and he felt his new beautiful wife would have a hard time with his deformity. He had cut himself off from most of society, but this union would help restore his estate.
I felt such heartache for Adam who needed love more than anything but tried to resist. Bea had such a great spirit, regardless of her overwhelming family (you will be amused) and loving heart. She needed love just as much.
Wonderfully heartwarming with a touch of suspense, which is perfect for this romance. I could not wait to see what would happen, while loving all of the characters from Samantha Holt’s creative mind! Adore everything she writes and this one especially touched me. A hugh sigh of happiness at the end…